Amid rash of unusually high DWP bills, board suspends shutoffs for nonpayment

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Set us as preferred The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners moved Tuesday to immediately suspend residential water and electricity service shutoffs due to nonpayment for the rest of the year after a period of unusually high utility bills.Though the board does not have the authority to forgive the charges, which will still be due by the end of the year, board President Allan Marks encouraged residents to enroll in programs that could help alleviate rising costs.The move comes as complaints about unusually pricey utility bills have spread widely on social media.

During Tuesday’s board meeting, several residents spoke about being surprised by high bills and called for an audit of the Department of Water and Power.Marks said he agreed that utility bills could use more transparency.“It’s always good to have public focus on things because it does force change,” he said.Climate & Environment Los Angeles residents have posted bills they called “outrageous,” “insane” and “extremely crazy” over the past few weeks as summer charges hit mailboxes.Another commissioner, Benny Tran, said the measure was not a ceiling but “the floor of what we can do.” According to the board’s resolution, DWP customers saw a 15% to 20% median increase in electricity use during the most recent bimonthly billing period compared with the same time last year.

Unusual weather conditions played a role, officials said, with the number of extreme heat warning days tripling from five in 2025 to 15 so far this year.But some ratepayers have called to reexamine the utility’s rate structure — saying that air conditioning is a lifeline, not a luxury, as temperatures continue to rise.Micah Reed, a San Fernando Valley resident, launched an online petition calling for an audit and relief for ratepayers after receiving a DWP ...